Donald Trump Jr. played role in picking interior secretary

Donald Trump, Jr., the president elect's eldest son, was involved with the interview process for interior secretary, according to sources familiar with the discussions, blurring the lines between the incoming Trump administration and Trump's business empire.

He sat in on interviews and made calls to candidates, according to sources familiar with the process. Montana congressman Ryan Zinke was offered the post Tuesday.

Don Jr. is known as an avid outdoorsman, which is why he might have an interest in the next head of the Interior Department. In fact, he once floated himself as the next interior secretary, telling an outdoors publication that, "the big joke at Christmas this year was that the only job in government that I would want is with the Department of Interior. I understand these issues. It's something I'm passionate about. I will be the very loud voice about these issues in my father's ear. No one gets it more than us."

Don Jr.'s role in the process raises concerns about the overlap between Trump's business -- which Don Jr. and his brother Eric are slated to run -- and the White House.

The transition team sought to wave away any concerns on Wednesday.

"The transition team has been very transparent in the fact that Donald Trump Jr. is on the transition team, that he's someone who is helping us form the government, put things together," Trump spokesman Jason Miller said Wednesday morning when asked about Donald Trump Jr.'s role in the process. "We've announced that right from the beginning and so it only makes sense that a transition team member was active in the process."